Manchester United star Antony has candidly explained why he does not ‘give a f**k’ about any criticism he receives from the media.
The Brazilian caused debate in October when he showcased his ‘Antony Spin’ trick in a Europa League win over FC Sheriff, with no opposition player anywhere near him and subsequently sending an overhit through ball straight out of play.
Robbie Savage, who was covering the game for BT Sport, called it ‘embarrassing,’ while United legend Paul Scholes also branded Antony ‘a clown’ over it.
“I don’t know what he is doing, it is just ridiculous” Scholes said at the time. “He is not beating a man, he is not entertaining anybody, then he kicks the ball out. But that is the way he plays but I think he needs that knocking out of him.”
United boss Erik ten Hag loosely agreed with Scholes, saying he would ‘correct’ the Brazilian about when to bring out the tricks. Antony publicly defended himself at the time, and he has now shed a much more revealing light on his mindset.
“I went from the slums to Ajax to Manchester United in three years,” Antony told The Players’ Tribune. “People always ask me how I was able to 'turn the key' so quickly. Honestly, it is because I feel no pressure on a football pitch.
“Every day, my older brother would take me to the square to play football. In the favela, everyone plays. Kids, old men, teachers, construction workers, bus drivers, drug dealers, gangsters. There, everyone is equal.
“In my father’s time it was a dirt pitch. In my time, it was asphalt. In the beginning, I played barefoot, on bleeding feet. We did not have money for proper shoes. I was small, but I dribbled with a meanness that came from God.
“Dribbling was always something inside me. It was a natural instinct. And I refused to bow my head to anyone. I would elastico the drug dealers. Rainbow the bus drivers. Nutmeg the thieves. I really did not give a f**k. With a ball at my feet, I had no fear.”
Antony’s story is an inspiring one, with him revealing he was raised in a Sao Paolo favela literally named ‘Little Hell’ and once had to pass dead body on his way to school.
For him, he says, football will always, and should always, be about an expression of freedom.
“With a ball at your feet, you should only feel joy,” Antony said. “I was born a dribbler. It is part of my roots. It is the gift that took me from the slums to the Theatre of Dreams.
“I will never change the way I play, because it is not a style, it is me. It is a part of me. A part of our story as Brazilians. If you just watch one 10 second clip of me, then you will not understand.
“Nothing I do is a joke. Everything has a purpose. To go forward with boldness, to strike fear into the opponent, to create space, to make a difference for my team.
“If you think I’m just a clown, then you don’t understand my story. The art of Ronaldinho and Cristiano and Neymar inspired me as a child. I watched these Gods in amazement on stolen Wifi, then I went out to the concrete pitch to try to imitate their genius.”
Source : 90min